U.S. patent application number 11/840878 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-13 for presence-based communication between local wireless network access points and mobile devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to Skypop.Inc.. Invention is credited to Timo Bruck, Bruce Alan Leak, Konstantin Othmer, Joseph W. Poletto, Michael P. Ruf, Thomas J. Ziola.
Application Number | 20080062940 11/840878 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39083191 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080062940 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Othmer; Konstantin ; et
al. |
March 13, 2008 |
PRESENCE-BASED COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LOCAL WIRELESS NETWORK ACCESS
POINTS AND MOBILE DEVICES
Abstract
Systems and methods for communication between local wireless
networks and mobile devices and more particularly, to sending
presence-based content to mobile devices over local wireless
network access points. The method includes receiving notification
that the mobile device has established a wireless network
connection with a LWN through a WAP of the LWN; receiving a request
from a content provider to send content through the WAP to the
mobile device; allowing the content provider to send content to the
mobile device through the WAP or other network connected to the
mobile device. In one exemplary method, a wireless service provider
or mobile device user can govern what content is sent to a mobile
device.
Inventors: |
Othmer; Konstantin;
(Mountain View, CA) ; Ruf; Michael P.; (Parkland,
FL) ; Bruck; Timo; (Mountain View, CA) ; Leak;
Bruce Alan; (Los Altos, CA) ; Poletto; Joseph W.;
(Glen Ellen, CA) ; Ziola; Thomas J.; (Menlo Park,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WORKMAN NYDEGGER
60 EAST SOUTH TEMPLE
1000 EAGLE GATE TOWER
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84111
US
|
Assignee: |
Skypop.Inc.
Mountain View
CA
|
Family ID: |
39083191 |
Appl. No.: |
11/840878 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60822728 |
Aug 17, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/338 ;
370/278; 455/434 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 67/18 20130101;
H04W 64/00 20130101; H04W 4/02 20130101; H04W 4/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/338 ;
370/278; 455/434 |
International
Class: |
H04Q 7/24 20060101
H04Q007/24; H04B 7/005 20060101 H04B007/005; H04Q 7/20 20060101
H04Q007/20 |
Claims
1. In a system including a user operating a subscriber LWN-capable
mobile device, a content provider, and a wireless access point, a
method for the content provider to send content to the LWN-capable
mobile device, the method comprising: determining that a
LWN-capable mobile device is within the proximity of the wireless
access point; retrieving the wireless access point identifier;
using the wireless access point identifier to find content for the
LWN-capable mobile device without requiring user action; and
notifying the user that content is available on the LWN-capable
device.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless access point
identifier is a Ethernet MAC address.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the content is created via an
auction between a plurality of content providers.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the LWN-capable
mobile device is within the proximity of the wireless access point
comprises receiving location information from a plurality of
communication networks and devices, and comparing the location
information to data received from the LWN-capable mobile
device.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising creating a database of
location information received from a plurality of communication
networks and devices.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein requesting content for the
LWN-capable mobile device further comprises at least one of: the
LWN-capable mobile device polling the network and requesting
content based on an identifier of the wireless access point; or the
network requesting to send content to the LWN-capable device,
wherein the content provider is allowed to send the content to the
LWN-capable device.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the content sent by the
content provider is presence-based content based on the presence of
the LWN-capable mobile device.
8. The method of claim 1 where the content is sent via the wireless
access point.
9. The method of claim 1 where the content is sent via some other
wireless network, including a 802.11 wireless network.
10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the presence-based
content sent to the LWN-capable mobile device comprises a
notification of the approximate street address of a content
provider that is located within a particular distance from the
location of the wireless access point.
11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the presence-based
content sent to the LWN-capable mobile device comprises a
notification of the approximate traveling directions to arrive at a
content provider located within a particular distance from the
location of the wireless access point.
12. The method according to claim 1, the method further comprising:
determining whether the content provider is authorized to send
content to the LWN-capable mobile device.
13. The method according to claim 12, the method further
comprising: blocking the content provider from sending content to
the LWN-capable mobile device through the wireless access point if
the content provider is not authorized.
14. The method according to claim 12, wherein determining whether
the content provider is authorized comprises checking for the
content provider on an access list of authorized content providers,
where the access list is defined by the user of the LWN-capable
mobile device, and contains all content providers that have been
granted access to send content to LWN-capable mobile devices.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the access list is
stored within the cache or memory of the LWN-capable mobile
device.
16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the access list
comprises all content providers listed in a contact list of the
LWN-capable device.
17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the access list
comprises all content providers within a pre-defined number of
degrees of separation from the user of the LWN-capable mobile
device in a personal networking service.
18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the content provider
is associated with the wireless access point and the content is an
advertisement for one or more goods or services that the content
provider is offering in close physical proximity to the wireless
access point.
19. In a system including a wireless service provider and a
subscriber LWN-capable mobile device, a method for the wireless
service provider to send presence-based content to the LWN-capable
mobile device, the method comprising: receiving notification that
the LWN-capable mobile device has established a wireless network
connection with a LWN through a wireless access point of the LWN;
associating the LWN-capable mobile device with the wireless access
point; determining whether any content providers are located within
a particular distance from the location of the wireless access
point; and sending presence-based content to the LWN-capable mobile
device for one or more of the content providers that are located
within the particular distance from the location of the wireless
access point.
20. The method according to claim 19, the method further
comprising: determining whether the content provider is authorized
to send content to the LWN-capable mobile device.
21. The method according to claim 20, the method further
comprising: blocking the content provider from sending content to
the LWN-capable mobile device through the wireless access point if
the content provider is not authorized.
22. The method according to claim 20, wherein determining whether
the content provider is authorized comprises checking for the
content provider on an access list of authorized content providers,
where the access list is defined by the wireless service provider
and contains all content providers that have been granted access to
send content to all subscriber LWN-capable devices.
23. The method according to claim 20, wherein determining whether
the content provider is authorized comprises checking for the
content provider on an access list of authorized content providers,
where the access list is defined by the wireless service provider
and contains all content providers that have been granted access to
send content to the LWN-capable mobile device.
24. The method according to claim 20, wherein determining whether
the content provider is authorized comprises checking for the
content provider on an access list of authorized content providers,
where the access list defined by the user of the LWN-capable mobile
device and contains all content providers that have been granted
access to send content to the LWN-capable mobile device.
25. The method according to claim 19, wherein at least one of the
content providers is the operator of a second LWN with a second
wireless access point.
26. The method according to claim 19, wherein at least one of the
content providers is a second LWN-capable mobile device.
27. In a system including a LWN-capable mobile device that has a
user interface, a method for notifying a user of the LWN-capable
mobile device of available content, the method comprising:
establishing a wireless network connection with a LWN through a
wireless access point of the LWN; associating the LWN-capable
mobile device with the wireless access point; receiving content
from a content provider that is network connected to the LWN; and
presenting the content on the user interface of the LWN-capable
mobile device.
28. The method according to claim 27, the method further
comprising: determining whether the content provider is authorized
to send content to the LWN-capable device.
29. The method according to claim 27, wherein presenting the
content on the user interface comprises displaying the content on a
visual display of a graphical user interface.
30. The method according to claim 27, wherein presenting the
content on the user interface further comprises activating a
vibrator function on the LWN-capable mobile device to alert the
user of the LWN-capable mobile device that content has been
received.
31. The method according to claim 27, wherein presenting the
content on the user interface comprises making the content
available on the user interface through a menu that can be browsed
by the user of the LWN-capable mobile device.
32. The method according to claim 27, wherein the content provider
is a second LWN-capable device.
33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the content received
from the second LWN-capable mobile device comprises information
about the user of the second LWN-capable mobile device.
34. The method according to claim 27, wherein the content provider
is the operator of the LWN and the content is an interactive
advertisement for one or more goods or services that the operator
of the LWN is offering in close physical proximity to the wireless
access point.
35. In a system including a user operating a subscriber LWN-capable
mobile device, a content provider, and a plurality of networks and
devices, a method for the content provider to send content to the
LWN-capable mobile device, the method comprising: receiving
location information from the plurality of networks and devices;
determining that a LWN-capable mobile device is within the
proximity of the plurality of networks and devices; determining an
approximate location of the LWN-capable mobile device; using the
approximate location to find content for the LWN-capable mobile
device without requiring user action; and notifying the user that
content is available on the LWN-capable device.
36. The method according to claim 35, further comprising creating a
database of location information from the plurality of networks and
devices, the database used to determine the approximate location of
the LWN-capable mobile device.
37. The method according to claim 35, wherein determining the
approximate location of the LWN-capable mobile devices comprises
evaluating the location information of any devices or networks
detected by the LWN-capable mobile devices.
38. The method according to claim 36, wherein determining the
approximate location of the LWN-capable mobile device comprises
access the database of location information and retrieving the
location of any networks or devices that have been detected by the
LWN-capable mobile device.
39. The method according to claim 35, wherein the plurality of
networks and devices include WiFi networks and devices, a GPS
networks devices, cellular networks and devices, local area
networks and devices, wide area networks and devices, and Bluetooth
networks and devices.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
application Ser. No. 60/822,728, filed Aug. 17, 2006 and entitled
PRESENCE-BASED COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LOCAL WIRELESS NETWORK ACCESS
POINTS AND MOBILE DEVICES, which application is incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. The Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to systems and
methods for communication between local wireless networks and
mobile devices. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the
invention relate to sending presence-based content to mobile
devices over local wireless network access points.
[0004] 2. The Relevant Technology
[0005] Mobile devices, such as cellular telephones and telephony
enabled personal digital assistants (PDAs), are often designed to
operate as subscribers within a wireless communication network
which is managed by a wireless service provider. Although mobile
devices have traditionally supported only telephony-related
communication, mobile devices are increasingly designed with
capabilities beyond simple telephony-type communication. For
example, beyond being designed to establish relatively long-range
wireless connections for voice communication, mobile devices can
also establish relatively short-range wireless connections with
wireless local area networks (WLANs) and wireless personal area
networks (WPANs) (referred to herein collectively as "local
wireless networks" or "LWNs"), in order to allow for additional
means of communication for users.
[0006] A common feature of LWNs are wireless access points (WAPs).
A WAP may be a two-way transceiver that connects wireless
communication devices in a LWN. A WAP can relay data between a
mobile device that is capable of communicating with a LWN (referred
to herein as a "LWN-capable" mobile device) and other wireless
communication devices and/or wired communication devices that are
connected to the LWN. Each WAP of a LWN typically has a certain
distance or range over which it is capable of transmitting and
receiving data. This range can vary depending on a number of
factors including indoor or outdoor placement, height above ground,
nearby obstructions, type of antenna, the current weather,
operating radio frequency, and the power output of the mobile
devices.
[0007] A LWN-capable mobile device typically includes a wireless
adapter that enables the mobile device to detect when it has come
within range of a WAP of a LWN. Likewise, each WAP of a LWN is
capable of determining when a LWN-capable mobile device has come
within range of the WAP. Once a LWN-capable mobile device comes
within range of a WAP, the LWN-capable mobile device can establish
a wireless network connection to a LWN through the associated WAP.
This connection allows wireless network communication between the
LWN-capable mobile device and other LWN-capable mobile devices,
wireless communication devices, and wired communication devices
that are also connected to the LWN through the same WAP or another
WAP of the same LWN.
[0008] When a LWN-capable mobile device connects to a LWN through a
WAP, other devices connected to the LWN detect the LWN-capable
mobile device. Often, these other devices are programmed to send
communications to the LWN-capable mobile device. At the same time,
many users do not want to receive certain unsolicited
communications and/or may wish to receive other select
communications, but they lack the ability to block undesirable
content or to elect to receive desirable content that is sent to
their LWN-capable mobile devices from other devices connected to
the LWN.
[0009] Wireless service providers also have difficulty controlling
the content that is sent to LWN-capable mobile devices. In other
words, where an LWN-capable mobile device is configured to
automatically connect to a WAP as soon as the mobile device comes
within range of the WAP, wireless service providers have been
unable to control the type of content that is sent to the
LWN-capable mobile device over the WAP.
[0010] Wireless service providers also have problems notifying
users about presence-based content that might be of interest to the
user. As designated herein, "presence-based content" is used to
designate communications that can be transmitted to a mobile device
when it is proximate to or within range of the WAP. Specifically,
wireless service providers have struggled to capitalize on their
ability to identify and locate a particular LWN-capable mobile
device within a particular LWN. Additionally, wireless service
providers often have difficulties integrating presence-based
information and sharing presence-aware data with devices which are
not visible to their networks. Also, the accuracy of device
location sensing data available to one wireless network may be
diminished by unresolved gaps in coverage areas, unconfirmed
location/proxy data, or other imperfections that may exist in any
location/proximity data capture method.
[0011] This problem is complicated by the fact that when a device
comes within range of a WAP, there is little if any user interface
that enables the user to take advantage of and use the WAP.
Instead, a user is required to access the wireless network settings
of the device and then select an access point before being able to
use the WAP. For many wireless access points, the user is then
required to start a browsing application and then authenticate or
register with the LWN that is being accessed through the WAP. Thus,
the WAP provides content specifically associated with the WAP to
the user via the browser, but the content is sent in response to a
specific request from the user.
[0012] What is needed are systems and methods that enable content
providers of the LWN to deliver content to the LWN-capable device
based on the presence of the device in LWN and an intelligent
mechanism for consolidating location and/or proximity data from
multiple sources so as to allow a variety of devices on a variety
of networks to become aware of other devices and to detect their
proximity and location. Additionally, a system and method is needed
whereby the devices are able to communicate across a variety of
networks and types of devices.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention relates generally to systems and
methods for communication between local wireless networks and
mobile devices and extending these capabilities to include features
which are useful to users of dissimilar networks and devices. More
particularly, exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to
detecting and identifying a wireless access point (WAP) via a MAC
address of the WAP or another signature broadcasted by the WAP,
and/or detecting and identifying a mobile device in proximity of
the WAP; determining authorized content providers and/or content
associated with the WAP; determining whether the identified mobile
device is on the list for receiving content, and; sending
authorized content associated with the identified WAP to the
identified mobile device via a wireless network.
[0014] In one embodiment, a content provider outside of a certain
region may wish to communicate with people who are present or
located in the region. This region is associated with the range of
a particular WAP. Users of LWN-capable mobile devices located
within the proximity of the region can be located via the ID of the
WAP. As a user of a LWN-capable mobile device enters the range of
the WAP, the proximity of the device to the WAP initiates the
delivery of content from the content provider. The method may
include identifying a LWN-capable mobile device by the device's MAC
address, ESN or other signature. The method may also include
checking the access list of the user's wireless service provider to
verify that the content provider is authorized to provide content.
A wireless network connection is then established with the device
through a network, such as a WAP of the LWN or another network.
Once the connection is established, a request is made to send
content to the LWN-capable mobile device, and then the content can
be pushed (or sent) to the device through the WAP of the LWN, or
via other network using the WAP address.
[0015] In another embodiment, the device can detect and identify
the network. One method may include determining the identity of the
WAP by sniffing the MAC address of the WAP, or any other signature
or identifier that is broadcast by the WAP or associated with the
WAP, then communicating that ID or signature to a server. In this
case, the server determines whether content is associated with that
WAP ID and delivers it to the device. For example, in the case
where the device is a dual mode WiFi/CDMA phone, the WiFi part of
the phone can sniff local WiFi access points and "see" their
identities even if it can't connect to the devices. In this case,
the device can send the information about the local access point to
a central server that uses that ID as an index to a content server.
Thus, the communication with the device is not required to go
through the WAP. Alternatively, of course, the communication with
the device can also occur through the WAP.
[0016] In another embodiment, a wireless service provider can send
presence-based content to a LWN-capable mobile device. In this
example, after receiving notification that the LWN-capable mobile
device has established a wireless network connection with a LWN
through a WAP of the LWN, it is determined whether any content
providers are located within a particular distance from the
location of the WAP. Presence based content is then sent to the
LWN-capable mobile device for each of the content providers that
are located within the particular distance from the location of the
WAP. A notification that content was received on the device can be
automatically rendered on the device using any format including pop
up windows, vibrations, and the like. Further, menus of the device
can be populated with offers such that the user can browse received
content using an existing menu structure.
[0017] In yet another embodiment, a user of the LWN-capable mobile
device can be notified of available content on a user interface of
the device. The method includes establishing a wireless network
connection with a LWN through a WAP of the LWN; receiving content
from a content provider that is network connected to the LWN; and
presenting the content on the user interface if the content
provider is authorized to send content to the LWN-capable mobile
device.
[0018] In another embodiment, a device that may not otherwise be
visible to a wireless provider's network can become visible to that
network and other devices on that network. In addition, the device
may subsequently communicate with a variety of wired and/or
wireless devices on other networks. The method includes collecting
location information from a variety of sources, regardless of the
type of network. For example, the location information may be
collected from WiFi beacons, GPS data sources, cell tower IDs,
network router IDs, and Bluetooth IDs. Although some of the
location data may overlap, by consolidating and sharing the data
across a variety of devices and networks, the system is able to
locate the device with greater accuracy than with standard systems
which use only a single network to locate the device. Embodiments
of the invention allow diverse ways to determine proximity to
locations and to other devices that extend beyond what any one
network may enable, even for other devices that on their own
possess no intrinsic location-sensing capabilities.
[0019] These and other features of the present invention are
described in further detail below and in the appended claims, or
may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth
hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] In order that the manner in which the above-recited features
of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the
invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to
specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended
drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical
embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered
limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication
network, as well as three local wireless networks, in which
exemplary embodiments of the invention can be practiced;
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a method
for a content provider to send content to a LWN-capable mobile
device;
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a method
for a wireless service provider to send presence-based content to a
LWN-capable mobile device;
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a method
for notifying a user of a LWN-capable mobile device of available
content;
[0025] FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary environment which
illustrates an implementation of a method for using multiple
networks or devices to form a database which may be used to
determine the proximity and location of a device; and
[0026] FIG. 5B illustrates an exemplary database which may be
created using the method of FIG. 5A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe
various aspects of exemplary embodiments of the invention. It
should be understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and
schematic representations of such exemplary embodiments and,
accordingly, are not limiting of the scope of the present
invention, nor are the drawings necessarily drawn to scale.
[0028] In general, embodiments of the invention are concerned with
communicating between local wireless networks and mobile devices.
More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to
sending presence-based content to mobile devices that are capable
of communicating with local wireless networks over access points of
the local wireless networks.
[0029] Embodiments of the invention extend the functionality and
reach of one or more systems to include wirelessly connected as
well as wired devices through the use of multiple different types
of location/proximity methodologies that, consolidated together,
demonstrably enhance and improve proximity information for mobile
and stationery devices and enable devices to be aware of and
interact with many more types of connected devices and diverse
wired and wireless networks. More particularly, embodiments of the
invention relate to sending presence-based content to mobile
devices over local wireless network access points and delivering
such content across dissimilar types of connected devices through
the creation and/or use of a database of presence-related data
drawn from multiple sources that can, by consolidating the
individual data elements from each different source, enhance the
accuracy of presence data beyond what any one network or device
type may be able to provide alone, thus allowing enhanced
targeting, broader distribution, and more flexible content sharing
across many of types of networks (using a WiFi beacon data, GPS
data, cell tower data and IDs, network router data and IDs, and
Bluetooth data and IDs) and device types (carrier band connected
devices, non-carrier band connected devices, and LAN-based devices)
than typically possible or feasible if such location/proximity data
were otherwise limited to a subset of all possible connected
devices and communications networks.
[0030] Embodiments of the invention relate to enabling local
content providers (e.g., content providers with respect to the
location of a WAP) to transmit content to enabled devices based at
least on the presence of the devices. When a device comes in range
of a wireless access point, a user can be presented various
configurable options. For example, the localized content that the
device may display on a screen or user interface may identify the
services that are available near that wireless access point. In one
example, the services identified in the pop up screen can be
proximate to the wireless access point. In another example, the
phone may provide a visual (e.g., service icon) and/or tactile
(e.g., vibration) alert that provides notification that localized
content is available over a detected wireless access point. In
another example, the device may have a menu that can be
automatically populated over the wireless access point with
localized content. At any time, the user can browse the menu to
discover any content that is associated with the wireless access
point. The actual content can change as the user encounters other
wireless access points.
[0031] Embodiments of the invention enable, for example, local
businesses that are geographically near the access point or that
provide the wireless access point to provide content to devices
that are proximate to or within range of the wireless access point.
For example, a restaurant may provide an order form or menu to any
device that is connected through the restaurant's wireless access
point. A restaurant that is proximate to a WAP of another provider
may also be able to provide similar content.
[0032] Advantageously, it is not necessarily the location of the
wireless access point or of the device that enables localized
content to be delivered to the device, but the proximity of the
device to the wireless access point that initiates the delivery of
localized content. The content pushed to the device can be obtained
in various manners. The content can be obtained directly from the
wireless access point. Alternatively, the content can be obtained
from another network or from a remote server. In the case of
providing localized content, the address of the wireless access
point or other unique identifier can be used as the key to identify
the localized content that is obtained from the remote server and
then pushed to the device. Embodiments of the invention also
contemplate instances where content from the device is pushed to
the local wireless network (such as when a device encounters a home
network to download pictures, etc.).
[0033] Embodiments of the invention also include peer-to-peer
situations. In this case, a LWN can be used to convey content from
one device to another device also present in the LWN. Each device
may be configured to have or act as a portal in one example. Other
similarly configured devices can then "see" similar devices. Access
or even notification of the availability of these portals can be
controlled using, for example, a contact list. In this case, only
contacts show up on a particular device. Non-similarly configured
devices, furthermore, can "see" each other and share information
and receive the same location and/or proximity information about
other devices which may be nearby with greater accuracy.
Additionally, the use of non-similarly configured devices may be
used as an alternative method of acquiring the location information
of devices, which may be useful in areas where the device network
has limited connectivity, or when the network or device lacks
location detecting capabilities.
[0034] Although access to a network is often via a local LWN, the
LWNs are often required to register with a carrier. Thus, the
carrier may also be able to provide access control in some
instances. Further, the content from the local content providers
can be provided to an advertising engine on the carrier's side of
the network. This enables the carrier to use both the location of
the device as well as the location of the LWN or WAP to also
provide content that is related to the location of the device
and/or LWN. For instance, a carrier can identify the location and
distance to a particular establishment after that establishment
registers with the carrier. These and other embodiments of the
invention are more fully disclosed in the following
description.
[0035] The term "local wireless network" or "LWN" is used herein to
designate a wireless data network having a relatively short range
such as, by way of example and not limitation, an IEEE 802.11
wireless local area network (WLAN) or an IEEE 802.15 wireless
personal area network (WPAN). The term LWN is not limited to WLANs
and WPANs, and can include any network to which a mobile device can
connect by being near a wireless access point of the network. The
term "mobile device" is used herein to designate any wireless
telephony-enabled communication device such as a cellular
telephone, a telephony-enabled personal digital assistant (PDA), a
lap top computer, and the like or any combination thereof The
features of the LWN could also be obtained through other types of
networks, including a WiMax network or local Bluetooth connections,
provided the information is consolidated and/or shared.
[0036] The term "presence-based content" is used herein to
designate content that is dependent upon the presence or close
physical proximity of the subject matter of the content or to the
content provider. The term "local wireless network capable mobile
device" or "LWN-capable mobile devices" is used herein to designate
a mobile device that is capable of establishing a wireless network
connection with a LWN in order to send and receive data from other
devices connected to the LWN. The term "wireless access point" or
"WAP" is used herein to designate a two-way radio transceiver that
connects wireless communication devices together in a LWN. A WAP
can relay data between a LWN-capable mobile device and wireless
communication devices and/or wired communication devices that are
network connected to the LWN. Each WAP of a LWN typically has a
certain range over which it is capable of transmitting and
receiving data. This range can vary depending on a number of
factors including indoor or outdoor placement, height above ground,
nearby obstructions, type of antenna, the current weather,
operating radio frequency, and the power output of the mobile
devices. For example, a particular WAP of an IEEE 802.11 LWN may
have an average range of 150 feet indoors and 300 feet outdoors. In
contrast, a particular WAP of an IEEE 802.15 LWN may have an
average range of 30 feet.
I. Exemplary Wireless Communication Network and Associated Wireless
Devices
[0037] In order to describe the various methods of the invention,
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication network
100, as well as three local wireless networks 101a, 101b and 101c,
in which the invention can be practiced. It should be understood
that this and other arrangements and processes described herein are
set forth for purposes of example only, and other arrangements and
elements may be practiced with the benefit of the teachings
contained herein. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate
that many of the elements described herein are functional entities
that may be implemented as discrete components or in conjunction
with other components, in any suitable combination and location,
and by software, firmware and/or hardware.
[0038] The wireless communication network 100 and three local
wireless networks 101a, 101b and 101c of FIG. 1 represent only an
example of the suitable environments in which the invention can be
implemented and other network architectures or environments are
possible. In particular, wireless communications network 100 is
described and illustrated as a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
network, whereas the invention can be practiced with other wireless
communications networks, including Global System for Mobile
Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
(UMTS), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Wideband Code
Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), General Packet Radio Service
(GPRS) networks and other networks. Likewise, local wireless
networks 101a, 101b and 101c are described and illustrated as
including IEEE 802.11 and 802.15 wireless access points, whereas
the invention can be practiced with local wireless networks
including other types of wireless access points.
[0039] More specifically, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment
of the invention, wireless communications network 100 comprises a
radio frequency (RF) network that provides radio connectivity and
session management for circuit-switched and packet data
technology-based communication. Accordingly, wireless
communications network 100 includes or interfaces with all of the
elements necessary to route circuit-switched telephone calls and/or
packet data communication through the network, including mobile
devices 102a-102e, one or more base transceiver stations (BTSs)
104, a base station controller (BSC) 106, a packet data serving
node (PDSN) 108, a short message service center (SMSC) 110, and a
public switched telephone network (PSTN) 112 which connects to one
or more other PSTNs 114. More specifically, the methods of the
invention can be used in conjunction with a circuit-switched
network, a packet data network, or both. While the exemplary
embodiment of the invention uses Internet Protocol (IP) as its
transport protocol, the methods of the invention may be implemented
using other transport protocols, such as short message service
(SMS) and Short Data Burst services. Wireless network 100 may also
include one or more gateways 116 with which elements of local
wireless networks 101a-101c can communicate. Content server 118 may
reside outside network 100 and can be used in conjunction with the
present invention. References herein to the term "wireless
communication network" throughout should be construed as inclusive
of the network infrastructure, servers, end user devices,
applications and services of wireless communication network
100.
[0040] As depicted in FIG. 1, mobile devices 102a-102e are each
subscribers to wireless communication network 100 that is managed
by, or affiliated with, a wireless service provider. As used
herein, the term "wireless service provider" refers to the entity
that controls a wireless communication network, such as wireless
communication network 100. As subscribers to wireless communication
network 100, each of mobile devices 102a-102e can communicate
through the base transceiver stations 104 in order to communicate,
using telephony or other technologies such as SMS and MMS, with
other devices on wireless communication network 100 or other
communication networks that are connected to wireless communication
network 100.
[0041] Each of mobile devices 102a-102e is also LWN-capable. In
other words, beyond having the capability of communicating with
wireless communication network 100, each of mobile devices
102a-102e is capable of communicating with local wireless networks
101a-101c. Although as illustrated each of mobile devices 102a-102e
is capable of establishing a network connection over both IEEE
802.11 and IEEE 802.15 technology, in another embodiment, one or
more devices 102a-102e can be capable of establishing a network
connection over either IEEE 802.11 or IEEE 802.15 , but not
both.
[0042] Local wireless networks 101a-101c include local wireless
network servers (LWNS) 120a-120c, respectively. Network connected
to local wireless network servers 120a-120c are wireless access
points (WAPs) 122a-122c, respectively. The connections between
LWNSs 120a-120c and WAPs 122a-122c, respectively, can either be
wired or wireless. Although only one WAP is illustrated for each of
local wireless networks 101a-101c, local wireless networks
101a-101c can each include more than one WAP.
[0043] Each of WAPs 122a-122c has a range within which the WAP is
capable of transmitting and receiving data signals from other
devices. In FIG. 1, these ranges are illustrated by boundaries
124a-124c. The ranges may depend on signal strength, environmental
conditions, type of network, and the like or any combination
thereof. As illustrated, the range for WAP 122a is greater than the
range for WAP 122b and WAP 122c. This is due to the fact that WAP
122a is an IEEE 802.11 WAP with a stronger signal than WAPs 122b
and 122c, which are each IEEE 802.15 WAPs with a comparatively
weaker signal. As depicted, WAP 122a has average range of 150 feet.
In contrast, WAPs 122b and 122c have an average range of 30 feet.
Depending on a variety of factors, including those mentioned above,
in other implementations the ranges of WAPs 122b and 122c can be
greater than the range of WAP 122a.
[0044] When one of mobile devices 102a-102e is physically located
within the ranges 124a-124c of any of WAPs 122a-122c, the mobile
device is designed to detect the WAP and connect through the WAP to
the corresponding LWN. Likewise, when one of mobile devices
102a-102e is physically located within range of any of WAPs
122a-122c, the WAP is designed to detect the mobile device and
facilitate a connection between the LWN corresponding to the WAP
and the detected mobile device. In this example, the range of each
WAP 122a-122c corresponds with the range of a LWN 101a-101c,
respectively. As illustrated, mobile devices 102b and 102c are
physically located within the range 124a of LWN 101a, mobile device
102d is physically located within the range 124b of LWN 101b, and
mobile device 102e is physically located within the range 124c of
LWN 101c.
[0045] According to one embodiment, each of LWNSs 120a-120c is
network connected to IP Network 126. IP Network 126 can be any type
of IP network, including the Internet. As depicted, one or more
gateways 116 of wireless communication system 100 can also be
connected to IP Network 126, which enables each of LWNSs 120a-120c
to communicate with content server 118. Optionally, the content
server 118 may also be a content authorization server, which is
capable of storing and maintaining information relating to content
providers who are authorized to send content to each mobile device
user. Thus, according to one embodiment, the content server 118
controls which content providers that are connected to LWNs
101a-101c are allowed to send content to and receive content from
the mobile devices that are subscribers to wireless communication
network 100.
[0046] FIG. 1 further illustrates an entity 128 that is proximate
to the LWN 120a. Embodiments of the invention enable the entity 128
to deliver content to the device 102b or to the device 102c, which
are within the range of the WAP 122a. As described more fully
below, the presence of the device 102b may trigger delivery of
content that is associated with the entity 128. For example, the
entity may be a business and the content is an advertisement or
coupon that is delivered to the device 102b. Alternatively, the
entity 128 may be a home server of device user 102b and the LWNS
120a may be the user's home network. In this case, the detection of
the presence of the device 102b may lead to the delivery of content
from the entity 128 to the device 102b as well as the delivery of
content from the device 102b to the entity 128.
II. Method for Sending Content to a LWN-Capable Mobile Device
[0047] With particular attention now to FIG. 2, a flowchart
illustrates one exemplary implementation of a method for a content
provider to send content to a LWN-capable mobile device. The
content provider may be proximate to the WAP or remote from the
WAP. For a device, proximate to a WAP suggests that the device and
the WAP can detect each other. Proximate to a WAP for a content
provider does not mean that the content provider is within range of
the WAP, but rather that the content provider is associated with
the WAP. The content provider may be outside the range of the WAP
but still proximate to (or associated to) the device. Embodiments
of the invention therefore facilitate, but are not limited to,
enabling content providers that are proximate or local with respect
to a LWN to deliver content to devices whose presence is detected.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the commands or logic for
implementing the method are stored locally on the LWN-capable
mobile device. As may be understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art, the commands or logic could also be stored in the WAP, as
discussed more fully below. Alternatively, the commands or logic
can be distributed between the WAP and the LWN-capable device.
[0048] In FIG. 2, the system determines 202 that a LWN-capable
mobile device is within the proximity of the WAP. Typically, this
may require the device to be within the range of the WAP. Next, the
device detects 204 an identifier associated with the WAP, such as
the MAC address or other WAP ID, and sends it to the server which
then determines which content provider is associated with that WAP
ID. The associated content provider sends 206 a request to a
content server to send content through the WAP or other network
connection using a WAP key or other identifier associated with the
WAP. The content provider is allowed 208 to send content to the
LWN-capable mobile device. The content can therefore be delivered
automatically. The device may then provide some sort of
notification to the user regarding the delivered content. In one
embodiment, the content provider may be authorized 210 to send
content to the mobile device. The content is then sent 212 from the
content provider to the LWN capable mobile device though the WAP or
other network.
[0049] As briefly discussed above, FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment
where the device initiates the method by detecting the proximity of
the WAP and sending a WAP identifier to the content server. In
another embodiment, the WAP may initiate the method by detecting
the proximity of the device, and sending an identifier or key
(which may include a MAC address, ESN, or other signature)
associated with the device to the content server along with a
request to send content to the device. Thus, the content can be
pushed to a device using either a LWN or a WAP.
[0050] The content provider can be the same as the provider of the
LWN, associated locally with the LWN, or remote from the LWN. The
following examples illustrate how a content provider can send
content to a LWN-capable mobile device through a WAP of a LWN or
other network. This ability to deliver content sent to mobile
devices within a wireless communication network allows the wireless
service provider to deliver presence-based content such that the
content is relevant to the subscriber's specific physical location
at the time the content is received by the subscriber. Optionally,
the system also may protect subscribers' privacy, determine the
type and quantity of content that subscribers receive, and insist
that content received by subscribers in the vicinity of the network
is relevant to each subscriber's preferences.
[0051] An example implementation of method 200 of FIG. 2 will now
be described in connection with wireless communication network 100
and local wireless network 101a of FIG. 1. In this example, mobile
device 102b comes within the range 124a of LWN 101a. As soon as
mobile device 102b enters the range 124a of LWN 101a, each of
mobile device 102b and WAP 122a will automatically detect 202 the
presence of the other and establish 204 a wireless network
connection using IEEE 802.11.
[0052] In this example, the mobile device 102b has established a
wireless network connection with WAP 122a of LWN 101a.
[0053] Next, the mobile device is sent 206 a request from a content
provider to send content through WAP 122a or other network using
the WAP key or other identifier to mobile device 102b. The content
provider at 204 can be any other device that is network connected
to LWN 101a. In this example, LWNS 120a is the content provider,
and the operator of a business named "Bob's Book Store" operates
LWNS 120a in furtherance of the business of Bob's Book Store. The
business operator has also located WAP 122a near the front door of
the shop. This location for WAP 122a has been chosen so that
potential customers who pass with their LWN-capable mobile devices
within 150 feet of the front door of Bob's Book Store can be
solicited to make purchases at Bob's Book Store. The operator has
also loaded an advertisement on LWNS 120a directed to the users of
mobile devices that come within the range 124a of WAP 122a. The
advertisement is an SMS text message that reads, "Come on over to
Bob's Book Store! We'll give you a 10% discount on any purchase
made in the next 15 minutes! Hurry before this offer expires!" The
message also includes a unique advertisement number, corresponding
to the time that the advertisement is generated, so that, upon
redemption, Bob's Book Store can determine exactly when each
advertisement was sent, and therefore, when each 15 minute offer
expires. Other offers could also be sent. Therefore, in this
example at 204, content server 118 will receive a request from LWNS
120ato send this advertisement to mobile device 102b.
[0054] Alternatively, the content provider 204 may not be located
near the WAP 122a, but may be interested in communicating with
devices who are in proximity to a specific region. The region could
be the range of the WAP 122a or may extend to a wider geographic
area. If the region is within range of a WAP 122a, users of
LWN-capable devices can be "mapped" to being near the region via
the WAP ID. Using this technique a content provider may send
content to a device that is related, for example, to goods and
services that are located in the region that is geographically near
the WAP. Thus, the content need not be located within range of the
WAP and may be sent remotely from the content provider 204 to the
device.
[0055] Next, at 208, the mobile device 102b allows the LWNS 120a of
Bob's Book Store to provide content to mobile device 102b and,
Bob's Book Store sends content to the LWN-capable mobile device. As
previously mentioned, the content may be sent through the LWNS 120a
of Bob's Book Store, or by using the identifier key of LWNS 120a
and sending the content through another network connected to the
mobile device 102b. In another example, the identifier key or other
unique identifier of the LWNS 120a may be used to obtain content
from a remote server.
[0056] According to one embodiment, allowing 208 the content
provider to send content to the mobile device includes authorizing
the content provider to send content to the mobile device 102b.
This may entail the user of a content server 118 of a wireless
communication network 100, which receives notification that the
device 102b has established the wireless connection, sending an
authorization to the content server. This notification can be
received by way of a communication from a server associated with
WAP 122a, such as LWNS 120a across IP Network 126 and through one
or more gateways 116. Alternatively, this notification can be
received by way of a communication from mobile device 102b through
one or more BTSs 104, BSC 106, and PDSN 108. As part of the
authentication process, the content server 118 can determine at 206
if LWNS 120a is authorized to provide content to mobile device 102b
using any one of, or combination of, various techniques.
[0057] One technique can be to check for the content provider on an
access list of authorized content providers. The access list can be
defined by the wireless service provider that manages wireless
communication network 100 and can contain all content providers
that have been granted access to send content to all subscriber
LWN-capable mobile devices of wireless communication network 100.
Using this technique, it is not important to identify the specific
mobile device involved; only that mobile device 102b is a
subscriber to wireless communication network 100. Alternatively,
the access list can be specific to mobile device 102b and can
contain only those content providers that have been granted access
to send content to mobile device 102b. Using this technique, the
specific mobile device involved may be identified in order to
determine if the specific mobile device should receive content from
the specific content provider.
[0058] Another technique can be to check for the content provider
on an access list of authorized content providers, where the access
list is defined by the user of mobile device 102b. The access list
can contain all content providers that have been granted access to
send content to mobile device 102b. Using this technique, the user
of mobile device 102b is able to insert his own preferences into
the ability of content providers to send content to mobile device
102b. For example, using this technique a user of 102b can
designate that he would like to receive content from all book
stores. More specifically, using this technique the user of mobile
device 102b can designate that he would like to receive content
from this specific Bob's Book Store franchise or any Bob's Book
Store franchise. A variation on this technique is where the access
list includes all content providers that are listed in a contact
list of mobile device 102b. Using this variation technique, it is
assumed that if the user of mobile device 102b has added a content
provider to a contact list of mobile device 102b, then the user is
willing to receive content from the content provider. For example,
using this technique, if the user of mobile device 102b has added
"Bob's Book Store" to his contact list, then Bob's Book Store will
be allowed to send content to mobile device 102b. Thus, the user of
the mobile device 102b may create a list of content providers from
whom he/she is willing to receive content from. This list may be
stored or cached in the mobile device 102b or may be saved as a
series of user preferences with the mobile service provider.
[0059] At 210, any combination of the above techniques can also be
performed in order for content server 118 to determine if LWNS 120a
is "authorized." It should be understood that LWNS 120a itself
might be identified as being authorized, or LWNS 120a might be
identified as being authorized because of some grouping to which it
belongs. An example of such a grouping can be the group of all
servers operated by any Bob's Book Store franchise. In this
example, content server 118 searches one of the lists described
above for a unique identifier corresponding to LWNS 120a of Bob's
Book Store to determine if LWNS 120a is "authorized" to send
content to mobile device 102b.
[0060] If, at 210, content server 118 determines that LWNS 120a is
authorized, content server 118 at 208 will allow LWNS 120a to send
the advertisement described above to mobile device 102b through the
WAP 122a. If, on the other hand, at 210 content server 118
determines that LWNS 120a is not authorized, content server 118
will not allow LWNS 120a to send any content to mobile device 102b
through the WAP 122a.
[0061] A second example implementation of method 200 of FIG. 2 will
now be described in connection with wireless communication network
100 and local wireless network 101a of FIG. 1. In this second
example, prior to 202, mobile devices 102b and 102c each came
within the range 124a of LWN 101a. As described above, as soon as
each mobile device 102a or 102b enters the range 124a of LWN 101a,
WAP 122a will automatically detect 202 the presence of each mobile
device 102a or 102b and 204 establish a wireless network connection
using IEEE 802.11 technology.
[0062] In this second example at 202, wireless communication
network 100 receives notification that mobile device 102b has
established a wireless network connection with WAP 122a of LWN
101a. Next, at 206, a content provider requests to send content to
mobile device 102b. As described above, the content provider can be
any device that is network connected to LWN 101a. In this second
example, mobile device 102c can function as the content provider.
In this second example, the user of both mobile device 102b and
102c subscribe to a personal networking service and the user of
mobile device 102c would like to send an "introduction message" to
the user of mobile device 102b.
[0063] A personal networking service is a service that identifies a
network of acquaintances that lies between two individuals. The
personal networking service is able to determine the shortest path
between any two individuals in the network in order to determine
the number of degrees of separation between the two individuals.
For example, where the users of mobile devices 102b and 102c are
both subscribers to a personal networking service, and if the users
of mobile devices 102b and 102c have a common acquaintance, then
there is one degree of separation between the users of mobile
devices 102b and 102c. If, on the other hand, the users of mobile
devices 102b and 102c do not have any common acquaintances, but
each has a distinct acquaintance that is acquainted with a distinct
acquaintance of the other, then there are two degrees of separation
between the users of mobile devices 102b and 102c. This type of
peer to peer relationship between devices is not limited to degrees
of separation, but can be established using other parameters such
as a contact list or a common attribute such as being on the same
network.
[0064] The "introduction message" that the user of mobile device
102c would like to send is an MMS message that contains any
information that the user wants to publish, such as, for example,
interests, resume, age, or picture. The user of mobile device 102c
would like to be able to send this information to any other users
of the personal networking service with whom he comes in close
physical proximity and with whom he is within predefined number of
degrees of separation. That way, as the user of mobile device 102c
is walking down the street he will be able to see, hear, or feel a
menu on a user interface of mobile device 102c that lists other
users who are subscribers to the same personal networking service
and within a pre-defined number of degrees of separation from the
user. By sending this introduction message, the user of mobile
device 102c can make a "soft" electronic introduction to the user
of mobile device 102b and then perhaps strike up an instant SMS
text message of MMS conversation or voice conversation, which may
ultimately lead to a face-to-face meeting between the two users.
Since the introduction message is intended to be sent only to other
users who are connected to the same WAP, any resulting face-to-face
meeting of the two users will at most require traveling a distance
equal to the diameter of the range boundary of the WAP, which in
this case would be at most approximately 300 feet. Therefore, in
this example at 206, a content server 118 will receive from mobile
device 102c a request to send this introduction message to mobile
device 102b.
[0065] The content server 118 will determine whether mobile device
102c is authorized to provide content to mobile device 102b.
Content server 118 can determine at 210 if mobile device 102c is
authorized to provide content to mobile device 102b by a variety of
techniques. One technique can be to check if mobile device 102b is
subscribed to the same personal networking service as mobile device
102c. Alternatively, content server 118 can check if mobile device
102b is within a pre-defined number of degrees of separation from
the user of mobile device 102c. Alternatively, content server 118
can check if mobile device 102c is listed in a contact list of
mobile device 102b. Alternatively, content server 118 can use some
other criteria or combination of criteria to determine if mobile
device 102c is "authorized" to send content to mobile device
102b.
[0066] In this second example, at 210, content server 118 checks
with a third-party personal networking service to determine if the
user of mobile device 102c is within two degrees of separation from
the user of mobile device 102b. If so, mobile device 102c is
allowed 208 to send the introduction message. If not, mobile device
102c is not authorized to send the introduction message.
[0067] If content server 118 determines at 210 that mobile device
102c is authorized, content server 118 at 208 will allow mobile
device 102c to send the introduction message described above to
mobile device 102b through the WAP 122a. If, on the other hand,
content server 118 determines at 210 that mobile device 102c is not
authorized, content server 118 at will not allow mobile device 102c
to send the introduction message to mobile device 102b through the
WAP 122a.
III. Method for Sending Presence-Based Content to Mobile
Devices
[0068] FIG. 3 presents one embodiment of a method for a wireless
service provider to send presence-based content to a LWN-capable
mobile device. At 302, notification is received that the
LWN-capable mobile device has established a wireless network
connection with a LWN through a WAP of the LWN. Then at 304, it is
determined whether any content providers are associated with that
WAP. The association may be determined by a variety of parameters,
such as providers who are in close proximity to the WAP, or
providers who are located far from the WAP but are interested in
communicating with people who are in the proximity of the WAP, or
other parameters. If at 304 it is determined that any content
providers are associated with the WAP, method 300 proceeds to 308
where presence-based content is sent to the LWN-capable mobile
device for some or all of the content providers that are associated
with the WAP. Optionally, at 306 it is determined if the content
providers are authorized to send content. If authorized, then the
method proceeds to 308 and sends the content to the mobile device.
If, on the other hand, at 304 it is determined that no authorized
content providers are associated with the WAP, then no
presence-based content is sent to the LWN-capable mobile device.
Alternatively, other non-local content may be sent to the
device.
[0069] An example implementation of method 300 of FIG. 3 will now
be described in connection with wireless communication network 100
and local wireless network 101b of FIG. 1. In this example, prior
to 302, mobile device 102d comes within the range 124b of LWN 101b.
As soon as mobile device 102d enters the range 124b of LWN 101b,
each of mobile device 102d and WAP 122b will automatically detect
the presence of the other and establish a wireless network
connection using IEEE 802.15 technology.
[0070] In this example, at 302, content server 118 of wireless
communication network 100 receives notification that mobile device
102d has established a wireless network connection with WAP 122b of
LWN 101b. This notification can be received as described above in
connection with FIG. 1.
[0071] Next, at 304, content server 118 determines the proximity of
the mobile device 102d to the location of the WAP 122b. In this
exemplary method 300, it is understood that the "location" of WAP
122b can refer either to the fixed geographic location of WAP 122b
or to the location of WAP 122b with respect to a moveable vehicle
such as a ship, plane, train, or bus. Therefore, the proximity of
the mobile device and the WAP 122b can be determined in terms of
precise geographic coordinates (such as the exact latitude,
longitude, and height with relation to sea level) or in terms of
location relative to a moveable vehicle (for example, at the stern
of the third deck of a particular cruise ship, or on the caboose of
a particular train). In another example, it is not the precise
location of the device but rather the presence of the device to the
LWN (as previously indicated, many LWNs have a limited range) that
enables local content to be sent.
[0072] As previously described, the content server 118 may be the
provider of the LWN and can therefore send content directed to any
device that is connected to the LWN. In other instances, the
content server 118 can determine at 304 the proximity the mobile
device 102d to the WAP 122b by using a variety of techniques. The
location of the WAP can be determined by checking a publicly or
privately accessible list of the WAP locations, where a unique
identifier of WAP 122b can be cross-referenced to the corresponding
location of WAP 122b. A third alternative technique for determining
the location of WAP 122b could be for content server 118 to receive
the location of WAP 122b simultaneously or subsequently to
receiving notification that mobile device 102d has established a
wireless connection with WAP 122b. This location information can be
transmitted by, for example, by LWNS 120b or mobile device 102d.
The device can also `sniff` the ID of the WAP 122b (such as the MAC
address) and communicate that ID to a server 118, in which case the
server 118 can determine what content is associated with that WAP
ID and deliver it to the mobile device 102d. Advantageously, this
enables content to be delivered to a device without requiring the
device to access the wireless network through the WAP. For example,
a dual mode WIFI/CDMA device can use the WIFI aspects of the device
to identify IDs associated with local WIFI access points. These IDs
(such as MAC IDs) can serve as an index to a content server.
[0073] With this information, the content server 118 can determine
whether any authorized content providers are located within a
particular distance from the location of WAP 122b. Content server
118 can determine at 306 if any authorized content providers are
located within a particular distance from the location of WAP 122b
by a variety of techniques. One technique can be to check a list of
authorized content provider locations that is stored in a database
on content server 118 and calculate the distance between each
authorized content provider and WAP 122b. The list of authorized
service providers can be defined as described above in connection
with FIG. 2.
[0074] Where an authorized content provider does not have a fixed
geographic location, nor a fixed location on a vehicle, such as is
the case with content providers that are other mobile devices, the
location of the content provider can be determined approximately by
the determining the location of the WAP to which the content
provider is currently network connected. For example, if a mobile
device is network connected to a WAP having a range of 100 feet,
then the location of the mobile device can be determined within 100
feet by determining the location of the WAP.
[0075] Therefore, at 304, if the particular distance of the mobile
device 102d from the location of WAP 122b is 2000 feet, content
server 118 can determine whether any authorized content providers
are located within 2000 feet of WAP 122b using one of several
different approaches to determining distance. One approach that
content server 118 can use is to calculate the exact straight-line
distance between an authorized content provider and WAP 122b.
Another approach that content server 118 can use is to calculate
the "walking distance" between an authorized content provider and
WAP 122b. The term "walking distance" is used herein to denote a
measure of actual distance that a user of a mobile device must
travel in order to arrive at the location of an authorized content
provider. Thus "walking distance" takes into account publicly
accessible thoroughfares such as walkways or streets; required
changes in elevation; and any obstacles that may impede a user of a
mobile device from walking in a straight line to the location of an
authorized content provider.
[0076] The current example implementation of method 300 of FIG. 3
will now continue to be described in connection with wireless
communication network 100 and local wireless networks 101b and 101c
of FIG. 1. In this example, at 304 content server 118 can determine
that LWNS 120c and mobile device 102e, which are both network
connected to LWN 101c through WAP 122c, are content providers that
are located within 2000 feet of the location of WAP 122b. The
approximate locations of LWNS 120c and mobile device 102e can be
determined with reference to the location of WAP 122c since both
LWNS 120c and mobile device 102e are network connected to WAP
122c.
[0077] At 308, content server 118 sends presence-based content to
the mobile device 102d for LWNS 120c. In this example, WAP 122c is
operated by a music store named "Bob's Music Store" and is located
near the entrance to Bob's Music Store. LWNS 120c is also operated
by Bob's Music Store and contains advertisements for new music CDs
currently being sold at Bob's Music Store. According to one
example, the name and location of WAP 122c corresponding to LWNS
120c and Bob's Music Store is stored in a list of authorized
content providers on content server 118. Therefore, at 306 the
content server 118 determines that LWNS 120c is authorized to send
presence-based content to mobile device 102d and is located within
2000 feet of WAP 122b, then at 308 content server 118 can send
presence-based content for LWNS 120c.
[0078] The presence-based content sent to mobile device 102d can
comprise a notification of the approximate street address of each
of the content providers that are located within the particular
distance from the location of WAP 122b. For example, the message
can be a SMS text message that reads, "Bob's Music Store is located
at 20 East 200 South." Alternatively, the presence-based content
sent to mobile device 102d can comprise a notification of the
approximate walking distance and walking directions to arrive at
each of the content providers that are located within the
particular distance from the location of the WAP 122b. For example,
the message can be a SMS text message that reads, "Bob's Music
Store is located approximately 500 feet south, south east, of your
current location. You can arrive at Bob's Music Store approximate
location by traveling 2 blocks south on Main Street and then
traveling 20 feet west after turning right on 200 South."
[0079] According to the second example described previously, at
308, content server 118 will send presence-based content for mobile
device 120e to mobile device 102d. In this example, the user of
mobile device 120e is named "Fred" and the users of mobile devices
120d and 120e are both subscribed to a personal networking service
as described above. In this example at 304, it was determined that
the approximate location of mobile device 120e was within 2000 feet
of the approximate location of mobile device 102d and that the
users of mobile devices 120d and 120e were within a pre-defined
number of degrees of separation from each other. Therefore, at 308,
content server 118 might send a presence-based text message to
mobile device 120d that reads, for example, "Fred is located
approximately 500 feet south, south east, of your current location.
You can arrive at Fred's approximate location by traveling 2 block
south on Main Street and then traveling 20 feet west after turning
right on 200 South."
[0080] These examples illustrate how a wireless service provider
can determine the approximate location of a LWN-capable mobile
device by determining the location of a wireless access point to
which the LWN-capable mobile device is connected. The wireless
service provider can then compare this approximate location to the
locations or approximate locations of other content providers in
order to send presence-based content for each content provider
within a particular distance from the approximate location of the
LWN-capable mobile device. This allows the wireless service
provider to send content to subscribers. Optionally, the system may
also include an authorization process within the wireless service
provider's wireless communication network in order to protect
subscribers' privacy, by determining the type and quantity of
content that subscribers receive, and sending only content that is
relevant to the subscriber's specific location at the time the
content is sent to the subscriber.
IV. Method for Notifying a Mobile Device User of Presence-Based
Content
[0081] With particular attention now to FIG. 4, a flowchart
illustrates one exemplary implementation of a method for notifying
a user of a LWN-capable mobile device of available content. At 402,
a wireless network connection is established with a LWN through a
WAP of the LWN. At 404, content is received from a content provider
that is network connected to the LWN. The content provider may be
local and connected to the LWN or remote from the LWN.
[0082] At 408, content is presented on a user interface of the
LWN-capable mobile device. Optionally, at 406, it is determined
whether the content provider is authorized to send content to the
LWN-capable mobile device. If at 406 it is determined that the
content provider is authorized, method 400 proceeds to 408 where
the content is presented on the user interface. If, on the other
hand, at 406 it is determined that the content provider is not
authorized, method 400 ends and the content is not presented on the
user interface. The content can be presented over the connection to
the LWN. Alternatively, the content can be presented over another
network such as the user's cellular telephone network.
[0083] An example implementation of method 400 of FIG. 4 will now
be described in connection with wireless communication network 100
and local wireless network 101c of FIG. 1. In this example, at 402,
mobile device 102e comes within range of LWN 101c. As described
above, a network connection will automatically be established
between mobile device 102e and LWN 101c using IEEE 802.15
technology.
[0084] At 404, mobile device 102e receives content from LWNS 120c
which is network connected to WAP 122c. In this example, LWN 101c
is a home wireless network that has been set up by the user of
mobile device 102e. Likewise, LWNS 120c is a server that the user
of mobile device 102e has set up at his home as part of his home
wireless network. Similarly, WAP 122c has been set up by the user
of mobile device 102e in order to allow the user to communicate
with his home LWN. The content that is sent at 404 in this example
can include a listing of all the services that the user can control
in his home through LWNS 120c such as the lights, personal
computers, heating, air conditioning, music, TV, hot tub,
sprinklers, and the like. In addition, the content can include an
invitation to download pictures from mobile device 102e to LWNS
120c.
[0085] According to one embodiment, at 406, the mobile device 102e
determines whether LWNS 120c is authorized to send content to
mobile device 102e. This determination can be made, for example, by
checking an access list of authorized content providers stored or
cached on mobile device 102e for a unique identifier corresponding
to LWNS 120c. Likewise, this determination can be made by checking
an access list of authorized content providers stored on content
server 118. In this example it should be noted that before LWNS
120c sends content to mobile device 102e, LWNS 120c will also
verify that mobile device 102e is authorized to receive the
content, since LWNS 120c will limit who is able to control the
services in the home of the user of mobile device 102e.
[0086] If at 406 it is determined that LWNS 120c is authorized to
send content to mobile device 102e, or if there is no authorization
process, then the method 400 proceeds to 408 where the received
content is presented on a user interface of mobile device 102e. The
user interface used at 408 can be any conceivable type of user
interface, including, but not limited to, a graphical user
interface, an auditory user interface, or a tactile user interface.
For example, the list of home services presented at 408 could be
visually displayed to the user on a visual display of a graphical
user interface. This visual display could include a menu that can
be browsed by the user of mobile device 102e. Likewise, the list
could be audibly presented on an audible user interface that
presents information audibly to the user. Similarly, the list could
be the presented to the user through a tactile user interface or by
activating a vibrator function on mobile device 102e to alert the
user of the mobile device 102e that content has been received. The
user can then interact with the user interface where the content is
presented, or with another user interface of mobile device 102e, in
order to control the lights, music, TV, hot tub, or sprinklers of
his home as he is approaching his home.
[0087] If, on the other hand, at 406 it is determined that LWNS
120c is not authorized to send content to mobile device 102e,
method 400 proceeds to 410 where the content is not presented on
the user interface of mobile device 102e.
[0088] A second example implementation of method 400 of FIG. 4 will
now be described in connection with wireless communication network
100 and local wireless network 101a of FIG. 1. In this second
example, prior to 402, mobile device 102b comes within the range of
LWN 101a. As described above, as soon as mobile device 102b enters
the range 124a of LWN 101a, WAP 122a will automatically detect the
presence of mobile device 102b and establish a wireless network
connection using IEEE 802.11 technology.
[0089] In this second example, at 402, mobile device 102c comes
within range of LWN 101a. As soon as mobile device 102c enters the
range 124a of LWN 101a, the mobile devices 102b and 102c and WAP
122a will automatically detect the presence of the other and
establish a wireless network connection using IEEE 802.11
technology.
[0090] At 404, mobile device 102c receives content from mobile
device 102b. In this example, the users of mobile devices 102b and
102c are subscribers to a common personal networking service, as
described above. The content that is sent at 404 in this second
example is an introduction message, as described above, that
contains information about the user of mobile device 102b.
[0091] At 406, mobile device 102c determines whether mobile device
102b is authorized to send content to mobile device 102c. This
determination can be made, for example, by sending a unique
identifier received from mobile device 102b as well as a unique
identifier from mobile device 102c to a server of the personal
networking service (not shown) that is connected to IP Network 126.
Access to IP Network 126 can be granted to mobile device 102c
through WAP 122a and LWNS 120a. The server of the personal
networking service (not shown) can determine the number of degrees
of separation that the users corresponding to the two unique
identifiers are from one another, and relay this number back to
mobile device 102c. Mobile device 102c can then compare this number
to a maximum number that has previously been designated by the user
in order to determine if the user of mobile device 102b is
"authorized" to send content to mobile device 102c.
[0092] If at 406 it is determined that mobile device 102b is
authorized to send content to mobile device 102c, method 400
proceeds to 408 where the received content is presented on a user
interface of mobile device 102c. The user interface employed at 406
can be any conceivable type of user interface, as described above
in the first example for FIG. 400.
[0093] If, on the other hand, at 406 it is determined that mobile
device 102b is not authorized to send content to mobile device
102c, the content is not presented on the user interface of mobile
device 102c. In this example, mobile device 102b is authorized to
send content to mobile device 102c. Therefore, in one embodiment,
the method 400 terminates and never proceeds to 408.
[0094] A third example implementation of method 400 of FIG. 4 will
now be described in connection with wireless communication network
100 and local wireless network 101a of FIG. 1. In this third
example, at 402, mobile device 102b comes within range of LWN 101a,
and mobile device 102b automatically establishes a wireless network
connection with WAP 122a using IEEE 802.11 technology, as described
above.
[0095] At 404, mobile device 102b receives content from LWNS 120a.
In this example, LWNS 120a is operated by a fast food restaurant
named "Bob's Fast Food" and contains interactive text message
advertisements that enable a user to place his order electronically
from a mobile device. WAP 122a is located near the cashier of Bob's
Fast Food, and the interactive text message advertisements enable
Bob's Fast Food to take orders and serve customers more
quickly.
[0096] At 406, mobile device 102b determines whether LWNS 120a is
authorized to send content to mobile device 102b. This
determination can be made, for example, by checking a list of
authorized content providers stored on mobile device 102b. For
example, the user of mobile device 102b may have designated that
all Bob's Fast Food restaurants are authorized to send content to
mobile device 102b.
[0097] If at 406 it is determined that LWNS 120a is authorized to
send content to mobile device 102b, method 400 proceeds to 408
where the received content is presented on a user interface of
mobile device 102b. The user interface used at 408 can be any
conceivable type of user interface, as described above in the first
example for FIG. 400. In this third example, the interactive text
message advertisement received can automatically appear on the user
interface and can read, or announce audibly, "Welcome to Bob's Fast
Food. Please enter your order." Also as the ad is received on the
device, it can trigger a tactile sensation such as a vibration to
alert the user. The user can then reply to this message by typing
or speaking instructions on mobile device 102b that are transmitted
back to LWNS 120a such as, for example, "Yes. I would like a
hamburger with extra pickles, a medium root beer, and a large
french fries with no salt." Some form of electronic confirmation
and payment can then be transacted between LWNS 120a and mobile
device 102b. This interchange can occur, for example, between the
time that the user of mobile device 102b enters range 124a and the
time that the user arrives at the front door of Bob's Fast Food.
Then, when the user of mobile device 102b arrives at the actual
cashier of Bob's Fast Food, the order can be filled and waiting for
the user to consume.
[0098] If, on the other hand, at 406 it is determined that LWNS
120a is not authorized to send content to mobile device 102b,
method 400 typically terminates and no content is presented on the
user interface of mobile device 102b.
V. Method for Obtaining Location Information for a Mobile
Device
[0099] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a method of obtaining location
information for an object using a variety of networks and devices.
FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary environment 505 wherein multiple
networks and devices 520a-520c operate. In this example, the
environment 505 includes a variety of devices 520a-520c and
cellular network towers 510a-510d, which are a type of BTS. The
environment 505 also includes a plurality of locations 530a-530c
which may not communicate directly with any network, and thus may
not directly communicate any location information with any network.
According to one aspect of the invention, however, the system may
collect data from a variety of networks and devices in order to
create a database of location information which may be used to
locate various objects in the environment 505 by comparing the
object's proximity to any of the known locations in the
environment. The database of devices, access points, locations (and
their names), multiple sources and types of location information
(GPS coordinates, cell tower-derived location estimates, street
addresses, etc) may be updated and otherwise managed as devices
move from one location to another and as location information,
location names, and characteristics are added/deleted and/or are
changed over the course of time and operation of the system.
Furthermore the database itself may be centralized or distributed,
and may even have subsets of its data cached locally on various
mobile devices, computers, and wireless network access points.
[0100] FIG. 5B is an example of a database 550 that may be created
from the various objects in the environment 505 illustrated in FIG.
5A. The database 550 can consolidate presence information to
increase the accuracy of service/location information. For example,
a device with WiFi and GPS can use its GPS to refine WiFi-beacon
location data that is shared with other devices that lack GPS data
capabilities. The consolidation of presence information, service,
and/or location information allows determination of proximity to
locations and other communication networks, thus increasing the
accuracy, reach, and flexibility of ways that data and content can
be shared across networks and with users whose devices have limited
or inaccurate location/proximity capabilities.
[0101] Such a database 550 may be populated a variety of ways, such
as by receiving location/proximity information from devices of
various types in the field, some set of which have
location/proximity information known about them that can be used to
improve the accuracy of information and to share such information
with other connected devices. Devices that supply
location/proximity information may have the ability to generate
such information internally or via cellular towers, WiMax
transmitters, or satellite GPS systems. By way of example only,
candidate devices could include GPS-equipped mobile devices, mobile
devices that can be located using cellular tower triangulation
techniques, PCs which are connected to access points that have know
locations or whose location may be known, estimated, or inferred
from other access points in the network to which it is connected or
for which addresses have been entered/supplied by end-users
directly. Such a database of location/proximity information itself
may be centralized or distributed or split-and-shared. Furthermore,
some designs may include subsets of the data which might be cached
or stored locally on various devices, computers, and wireless
network access points to allow only subsets of the data to be
shared or to enable certain modes of useful operation even when
devices may be temporarily (or by design) disconnected to any
functioning network.
[0102] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the database includes a list of
various locations 530a-530c in the environment 505, with the
various beacons, cell towers 510a-510d, Bluetooth IDs, and
geographic coordinates of the locations 530a-530c. Using this
database 550, the system may provide location information that may
be used to accurately determine the proximity and location of the
devices, content providers, and various other objects in an
environment. In some instances, the system may generate a
computerized grid of information relating to the location of all
the devices and networks in an area.
[0103] Thus, one aspect of the invention is the ability to create a
multi-platform repository of location information that may be used
to provide location information. Advantageously, this provides a
robust and accurate system that is capable of providing location
information for a wide variety of objects, which spans over many
platforms and networks. In one embodiment, the system may be able
to utilize the accuracy of one type of network to provide better
location information. For example, WiFi networks may be generally
considered less accurate in determining the location of the device
than GPS systems. Thus, in a traditional system, the presence-based
content sent to a device based on the location information provided
by a WiFi network would be less accurate and relevant than provided
in a GPS system. Alternatively, the location identified via the
WiFi network may be less accurate than the location identified by a
GPS system. According to one embodiment of the invention, however,
a device operating on a WiFi network may be able to utilize the
more accurate location information supplied by a GPS device stored
in the database. Thus, an advantage of using location information
from a variety of sources is the ability to provide accurate
presence-aware services and content for devices despite network
limitations.
[0104] Examples of location information sources include WiFi
networks and devices, a GPS networks devices, cellular networks and
devices including tower or sector information, local area networks
and devices, wide area networks and devices, Bluetooth networks and
devices, and various other communication networks and devices. In
some instances, the location data may be retrieved from another
database. For example, the identification of a particular sector
may be used to access another database that provides coordinates
for the location of the sector.
[0105] For example, the creation and/or maintenance of the database
550 may relay on various sources, which may often be disparate or
unrelated. The database 550 illustrates, for instance, that the
database can collect information from various sources as described
herein. Once the database is populated with this type of data from
various sources (not all sources are required for operation), then
the location of a device can be more accurately identified by
combining this information accessed from the database. For example,
the GPS data obtained from a GPS enabled device can be used to
improve the location data associated with a WiFi network.
[0106] This type of information can be used to expand beyond
identifying the location of a device such as a cellular telephone.
The information stored in the database can be accessed to identify
or approximate the location of a laptop computer or PC computer,
for example. The database can be used to identify the location of
disparate or unrelated devices. The database and/or the information
collected from devices operating in a network can also be used to
provide a holistic view of devices operating in a network.
[0107] Embodiments of the invention can be used to detect proximity
of one device to another device or to detect proximity of a device
to another entity, network, and the like. Determining the location
of a device can be performed in response to a request from a
device, automatically by a service, by a request from a content
provider, and the like. For example, a WiFi network may detect the
presence of a device. The location of the device can then be
requested. This may include accessing the database or causing a
subsequent request to be made to the device to discover another
information reference such as a GPS reading. The service or server
identifying or providing the location of the device can then
analyze the various sources of location information to provide a
more accurate location of the device. This identification can be
then transmitted to the device, to a network, to a content
provider, and the like or any combination thereof.
[0108] Embodiments of the invention utilize multiple location or
proximity methodologies such as WiFi beacons, GPS, cell tower IDs,
network router IDs, Bluetooth IDs, and the like. When data
associated with these systems are accumulated, there is a greater
accuracy of location and/or services. For example, a single device
with WiFi and GPS can use the GPS to refine the location of the
WiFi beacon.
[0109] A connected device that does not have location data can
still be made presence and proximity aware by receiving information
from a database (such as the database 550) which possesses such
information from other location-aware devices that may happen to be
connected to the same (or associated) access points, and thus can
also be informed of other devices and locations nearby. This
enables diverse determination of proximity to locations and other
devices.
[0110] One embodiment of the database includes various location
objects and each location object may be associated with one or more
fields that may include, but are not limited to, a name (e.g.,
Tom's House), a list of WiFi beacons, coordinates, a list of cell
towers, a list of Bluetooth devices, a list of devices that are
locally connected to communication access points. The database can
also include other data, such as device identifiers (laptop, PC,
cell phone, PDA, etc.). The database 550, for example, illustrates
one example of devices that are associated with location
objects.
[0111] The database 550 can be created, modified, updated, and the
like in real time. For example, a device may detect a WiFi beacon,
but the location of the WiFi beacon may be unknown. The GPS data
collected by the device can then be used to identify the location
of the WiFi beacon in the database. Thus, the database can be used
for multiple types of devices.
[0112] Another advantage of embodiments of the invention is the
ability to allow devices that operate in different networks to
become aware of devices in disparate or distinct networks. For
example, a WiFi beacon whose location is known may communicate with
wireless devices that are operating on different wireless networks.
The location of the WiFi beacon can be used to identify the
location of one device to another because each device may be able
to access and use the database and because the WiFi beacon is
communicating with the wireless devices.
[0113] The database or a server computer having access to the
database can periodically poll devices or the devices themselves
can push data to the server or to the device having access to the
database. By polling the devices in this manner, the locations of
devices in a particular network or in a plurality of networks can
be updated. For example, a laptop user connected to a particular
access point (and this a radio beacon) may discover that their
friend's cell phone is located nearby. In this example, the
location of the cell phone was obtained using tower information and
the location of the laptop was obtained by the location of the WiFi
access point. In another embodiment, the location of the cell phone
can be further defined by GPS data provided by the cell phone. This
may allow the user of the laptop to discover that the cell phone is
within the range of the access point. This illustrates that devices
operating on distinct networks can be identified to each other and
also illustrates how location from different sources is used to
more accurately determine the location of at least one device.
[0114] In another example, the history of certain devices may be
retained. For example, the last known location of a particular
device may be retained. This can be done for a certain amount of
time or indefinitely.
[0115] The database can accumulate information from multiple
sources and use the information to provide location information or
proximity location.
[0116] These examples illustrate how a user of a LWN-capable mobile
device can be notified that presence-based content is available.
Each of the examples includes the ability to authorize the content
provider to send the content, allowing the user of the LWN-capable
mobile device to receive presence-based content and determine the
type and quantity of content that is received and allow only
content that is relevant to the subscriber's specific location at
the time the content is received.
[0117] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
* * * * *